At B&M Scientific, we’ve proudly been in business for over three decades, providing high-quality lab equipment and materials to clients across South Africa. But here’s a question we’ve often asked ourselves: what happens to the packaging after our lab materials or equipment have been unwrapped? Does it end up in the bin, incinerated, or discarded without a second thought? Many don’t realise the impact this can have on our environment.
During Clean-Up and Recycle Week (16 to 21 September), there’s a national push to change the way we think about recycling packaging. This initiative highlights the vital role recycling plays in keeping our environment clean and sustainable—and how, by recycling, we can make a real difference.
Find Your Reason to Recycle
One exciting campaign running throughout the week is “Find Your Reason to Recycle”, featuring interactive public displays in Cape Town and Johannesburg. These events will connect you with experts from the recycling sector, who will answer all your questions about packaging recycling.
For those who can’t attend, there’s also an online docu-series filled with bite-sized episodes designed to bust common recycling myths. These episodes will teach you everything from understanding recycling symbols and labels to the full journey of packaging in South Africa's recycling system.
Who is Petco?
The initiative is spearheaded by Petco, an industry leader in responsible recycling. They drive post-consumer packaging initiatives, ensuring packaging is designed with its eventual disposal in mind. Petco’s CEO, Cheri Scholtz, shared the campaign’s goal: “In South Africa, where issues like climate change often take a back seat to pressing challenges such as unemployment, Petco’s ‘Find Your Reason to Recycle’ campaign is uniquely positioned to spark change.”
What to Expect from the Campaign
- A Change of Mindset: The docu-series will help shift perceptions about the value of recycling packaging. It reminds us that we all play a part in ensuring packaging remains in the recycling loop and stays out of landfills.
- A Role in the Value Chain: As consumers, separating recyclable packaging from household waste is a simple yet powerful way to support the recycling value chain and protect the environment. Businesses, like ours, play an essential part too.
Cheri also announced that interactive screens and custom-built units will be placed in prominent malls in Johannesburg and Cape Town to encourage public engagement with recycling. The “Find Your Reason to Recycle” campaign will be present at several key locations:
- Week 1 (17-23 September): East Rand Mall (Johannesburg), Canal Walk Mall (Cape Town)
- Week 2 (24-30 September): Rosebank Mall, Maponya Mall, Westgate Mall (Johannesburg), N1 City (Cape Town)
Tips on How to Recycle Packaging for Lab Equipment
Recycling lab equipment packaging can make a significant environmental impact if done correctly. Here are five simple tips to ensure that you recycle effectively and responsibly:
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Separate Packaging Materials
Lab equipment often comes in a mix of materials like cardboard, plastic, and foam. Make sure to separate these items before disposing of them. Cardboard and plastic can usually be recycled, while some foam might need special disposal. -
Clean Before Recycling
If the packaging is contaminated with chemicals or residues, it cannot be recycled. Rinse or wipe off any materials before placing them in the recycling bin to avoid contamination of other recyclable items. -
Check Local Recycling Guidelines
Different municipalities have different recycling rules. Make sure to check your local recycling guidelines for specific instructions on how to dispose of various packaging materials like plastics, cardboard, or special items like bubble wrap. -
Reuse Where Possible
Before tossing packaging into the recycling bin, consider if it can be reused. Sturdy boxes, bubble wrap, or plastic containers can often be repurposed for storage or shipping other items, reducing the need for new packaging. -
Remove Labels and Stickers
Packaging with labels or tape attached may not be accepted by recycling facilities. Remove these before recycling cardboard boxes or plastic packaging to ensure they can be processed properly.
By following these simple steps, we can all contribute to a cleaner, greener future. For more tips on sustainable packaging practices and to learn about our affordable lab equipment, contact us at sales@bmscientific.co.za or visit the B&M Scientific or www.labbuddy.co.za website. Let’s make recycling a habit!